Monthly Archives: January 2026

Geographical Indications (GI Mark) Protecting Regional Intellectual Property

  • January 28, 2026
#Geographical Indication #GI Mark

Upon closer inspection of the individually wrapped “Iburi Gakko” pickles I received as a souvenir, I noticed the label stated “Geographical Indication GI, Registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, No. 79” (bottom right of the package in the photo).

Iburi Gakko

The Geographical Indication Protection System protects the names of products that possess characteristics such as quality and social reputation cultivated within the unique natural, cultural, and social factors of a specific region, treating them as the region’s intellectual property. (Geographical Indication (GI) Protection System: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

According to the public notice for the registration of the GI “Iburi Gakko,” it states: “‘Iburi Gakko’ is a type of takuan pickle made using Akita Prefecture’s unique method, where the drying process of the daikon radish is done by smoking. The raw material is domestically produced daikon radish. Food additives used in preparation are primarily naturally derived. As sweeteners, saccharin and its salts, food yellow No. 4 and food yellow No. 4 aluminum lake as colorants, and sorbic acid and its salts as preservatives.” (Iburigakko｜Product Introduction｜Geographical Indication Product Information Site)
For consumers, the GI mark is helpful when choosing higher-quality products from similar items. Clear regulations on ingredients and additives mean you can eat with confidence.

As mentioned in the previous article on “Iwate Kirizumi,” under the Geographical Indication (GI) protection system, only products meeting the registered criteria can use the “Geographical Indication (GI Mark).” This ensures only quality-protected products (goods) circulate in the market.
Geographical Indications serve as the government’s seal of approval that a product meets certain quality standards. By differentiating it from other goods, it helps protect producers and brand value.

Incidentally, among Aichi Prefecture products, “Hatcho Miso,” “Toyohashi Nanbutougan,” and “Toyohashi Hanao” are registered as GI products. (Syszo)
Top Page｜Information Website on Japan Geographical Indication Products

Ghibli and Hot Spring Town

  • January 21, 2026
#trademark

My final domestic travel destination in 2025 was Shibu Onsen in Nagano Prefecture.
It’s about 3 hours from Nagoya on the JR Shinano Line, then 45 minutes from Nagano Station on the Nagano Dentetsu Limited Express.

Before going, I searched “Shibu Onsen” online and noticed it often appeared alongside “Spirited Away” in search suggestions.
Why Spirited Away? I wondered. Searching revealed that the inn Kanaguya in Shibu Onsen is said to have inspired the model for the inn in Spirited Away.
Indeed, the actual building felt like something straight out of Ghibli’s world.

I couldn’t book Kanaguya this time, so I stayed elsewhere, but I had one thing I wanted to do in Shibu Onsen: the “Nine Hot Springs Tour”.
There are nine public baths accessible only to guests staying in Shibu Onsen. You visit them, collecting stamps on a prayer towel.
When I bought the prayer towel at my inn, some familiar characters caught my eye.

巡浴祈願 (Onsen Hoping for Blessings)

The “Japanese Trademark Registration No. 1565863” in the lower right corner really caught my attention. I dropped my bags in the room and immediately searched for it on J-Plat Pat (laughs). The trademark was for “巡浴祈願” (Onsen Hoping for Blessings), filed in 1979.

I never expected to encounter a trademark in such a historic hot spring town. I was surprised and also felt a little happy. (Rabbit)

“Bear” and Me

  • January 7, 2026
#trademark

On December 12th, the “Kanji of the Year” for 2025 was announced.
The chosen character for 2025 was ‘熊’ (bear).
Indeed, especially in the latter half of the year, there wasn’t a day when we didn’t hear news about bears.

“Did I have any memories related to bears?” I reflected on my year and recalled visiting the “Okuhida Bear Park” at the end of summer.

Okuhida Bear Park is a bear zoo located in Shin-Hirayu Onsen, Gifu Prefecture.

Okuhida Bear Park

The park is home to many Japanese black bears, and visitors can feed them.
Bears raising their paws as if to say “Give it to me,”
Bears simply opening their mouths, waiting for food to be tossed in,
Bears waiting right under the fence for scraps,
Bears uninterested in food, scratching their legs… each bear had its own distinct personality.

Okuhida Bear Park

Okuhida Bear Park

Okuhida Bear Park

This image, in stark contrast to the gentle scene above, shows a wild side where sharp claws are clearly visible.

Okuhida Bear Park

For 2026, I hope that unfortunate incidents and accidents involving both bears and humans decrease, even if only slightly.

“Kanji of the Year” is a registered trademark (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 5247080) as of July 10, 2009, with designated services including Class 41 “Teaching of arts, sports, or knowledge” (Rights holder: Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation).
(Sakuramochi)